Speaking at a joint press conference in London, British Prime Minister David Cameron said the two countries had not realised “the full potential” of their relationship.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who stayed overnight at at Chequers, a 16th-century mansion that is the British Prime Minister’s country retreat in Buckinghamshire, has reportedly had another round of talks with his David Cameron and will return to London to meet with Chancellor of Exchequer Gordon Osborne and key British CEOs, which then will be followed by a lunch with Queen Elizabeth II at the Buckingham Palace.
“I think Britain can really help to deliver PM Modi’s vision for India”, he added.
Before the visit, diplomats said the Indian leader was keen to buy 20 more BAE Systems Hawk trainer aircraft to be made in Bengaluru.
Britain and India have announced major business deals and cultural exchanges during Modi’s trip, which ends Saturday, including an Indian tour for historic British texts such as the Magna Carta and the opening of a Madame Tussauds wax museum in New Delhi. His visit comes at a time when a debate is raging in India over accusations that Mr Modi is failing to rein in Hindu zealots trying to impose their values on all Indians.
As Modi came out of 10 Downing Street Thursday, the protesters shouted slogans.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India will no longer resort to retrospective taxation, while acknowledging that such steps were adversely affecting the mood of existing and potential investors.
The demonstrators held up banners with messages such as “Modi you are killing Indian democracy” and “Stop religious persecution in India”.
Britain has rolled out the red carpet for Modi, but the Indian premier’s arrival has also drawn protests.
Meanwhile, roughly 200 literary figures, including Mumbai-born British author Salman Rushdie, signed an open letter warning of a “rising climate of fear” in India.
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The emotional high point of the visit is likely to be a mass rally at Wembley Stadium on Friday where Modi will address about 60,000 supporters from India’s 1.5 million-strong diaspora in Britain.
